Cost of living in South Africa compared to Spain
Currency:
| Food | - 40% | |||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Food in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Spain | ||||
| South Africa | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic lunchtime menu (including a drink) in the business district | R 134 (€7) | €17 | - 58% | |
| Combo meal in fast food restaurant (big mac meal or similar) | R 72 (€3.79) | €9 | - 56% | |
| 500 gr (1 lb.) of boneless chicken breast | R 44 (€2.33) | €3.70 | - 37% | |
| 1 liter (1 qt.) of whole fat milk | R 18 (€0.93) | €0.94 | - 2% | |
| 12 eggs, large | R 41 (€2.19) | €2.77 | - 21% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of tomatoes | R 24 (€1.25) | €1.97 | - 37% | |
| 500 gr (16 oz.) of local cheese | R 68 (€3.59) | €7 | - 45% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of apples | R 26 (€1.39) | €2.02 | - 31% | |
| 1 kg (2 lb.) of potatoes | R 21 (€1.10) | €1.16 | - 5% | |
| 0.5 l (16 oz) domestic beer in the supermarket | R 22 (€1.18) | €0.98 | + 21% | |
| 1 bottle of red table wine, good quality | R 100 (€5.30) | €7 | - 19% | |
| 2 liters of coca-cola | R 23 (€1.24) | €1.90 | - 35% | |
| Bread for 2 people for 1 day | R 15 (€0.80) | €0.93 | - 14% | |
| Housing | - 20% | |||
| Housing in South Africa is 20% cheaper than in Spain | ||||
| South Africa | Spain | Diff | ||
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in expensive area | R 16,227 (€858) | €1,170 | - 27% | |
| Monthly rent for 85 m2 (900 sqft) furnished accommodation in normal area | R 12,774 (€675) | €795 | - 15% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 2 people in 85m2 flat | R 1,685 (€89) | €132 | - 33% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in expensive area | R 10,414 (€551) | €760 | - 28% | |
| Monthly rent for a 45 m2 (480 sqft) furnished studio in normal area | R 7,326 (€387) | €560 | - 31% | |
| Utilities 1 month (heating, electricity, gas ...) for 1 person in 45 m2 (480 sqft) studio | R 1,371 (€72) | €81 | - 10% | |
| Internet 8 mbps (1 month) | R 698 (€37) | €30 | + 24% | |
| 40” flat screen tv | R 5,520 (€292) | €354 | - 18% | |
| Microwave 800/900 watt (bosch, panasonic, lg, sharp, or equivalent brands) | R 2,172 (€115) | €95 | + 21% | |
| Laundry detergent (3 l. ~ 100 oz.) | R 87 (€4.61) | €7 | - 31% | |
| Hourly rate for cleaning help | R 64 (€3.37) | €11 | - 69% | |
| Clothes | - 13% | |||
| Clothes in South Africa is 13% cheaper than in Spain | ||||
| South Africa | Spain | Diff | ||
| 1 pair of jeans (levis 501 or similar) | R 842 (€45) | €73 | - 39% | |
| 1 summer dress in a high street store (zara, h&m or similar retailers) | R 587 (€31) | €31 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of sport shoes (nike, adidas, or equivalent brands) | R 1,619 (€86) | €86 | - 1% | |
| 1 pair of men’s leather business shoes | R 1,351 (€71) | €88 | - 19% | |
| Transportation | - 19% | |||
| Transportation in South Africa is 19% cheaper than in Spain | ||||
| South Africa | Spain | Diff | ||
| Volkswagen golf 1.4 tsi 150 cv (or equivalent), with no extras, new | R 301,753 (€15,952) | €24,605 | - 35% | |
| 1 liter (1/4 gallon) of gas | R 23 (€1.21) | €1.81 | - 33% | |
| Monthly ticket public transport | R 649 (€34) | €36 | - 5% | |
| Personal Care | - 21% | |||
| Personal Care in South Africa is 21% cheaper than in Spain | ||||
| South Africa | Spain | Diff | ||
| Cold medicine for 6 days (tylenol, frenadol, coldrex, or equivalent brands) | R 91 (€4.81) | €8 | - 37% | |
| 1 box of antibiotics (12 doses) | R 218 (€12) | €7 | + 73% | |
| Short visit to private doctor (15 minutes) | R 506 (€27) | €62 | - 57% | |
| 1 box of 32 tampons (tampax, ob, ...) | R 45 (€2.39) | €3.84 | - 38% | |
| Deodorant, roll-on (50ml ~ 1.5 oz.) | R 36 (€1.90) | €2.44 | - 22% | |
| Hair shampoo 2-in-1 (400 ml ~ 12 oz.) | R 68 (€3.58) | €2.95 | + 21% | |
| 4 rolls of toilet paper | R 29 (€1.54) | €1.63 | - 5% | |
| Tube of toothpaste | R 24 (€1.25) | €1.82 | - 31% | |
| Standard men's haircut in expat area of the city | R 160 (€8) | €19 | - 55% | |
| Entertainment | - 40% | |||
| Entertainment in South Africa is 40% cheaper than in Spain | ||||
| South Africa | Spain | Diff | ||
| Basic dinner out for two in neighborhood pub | R 413 (€22) | €32 | - 32% | |
| 2 tickets to the movies | R 211 (€11) | €16 | - 29% | |
| 2 tickets to the theater (best available seats) | R 462 (€24) | €52 | - 53% | |
| Dinner for two at an italian restaurant in the expat area including appetisers, main course, wine and dessert | R 651 (€34) | €44 | - 22% | |
| 1 cocktail drink in downtown club | R 69 (€3.62) | €10 | - 62% | |
| Cappuccino in expat area of the city | R 32 (€1.68) | €2.70 | - 38% | |
| 1 beer in neighbourhood pub (500ml or 1pt.) | R 33 (€1.74) | €4.24 | - 59% | |
| Ipad wi-fi 128gb | R 5,291 (€280) | €459 | - 39% | |
| 1 min. of prepaid mobile tariff (no discounts or plans) | R 1.53 (€0.08) | €0.17 | - 52% | |
| 1 month of gym membership in business district | R 557 (€29) | €45 | - 35% | |
| 1 package of marlboro cigarettes | R 47 (€2.48) | €5.04 | - 51% | |
| TOTAL | - 27% | |||
These prices were last updated on January 31, 2023.
Exchange rate:
0.05286
EUR
/
ZAR
This comparison is based on abundant and consistent data. It is based on 9,961 prices entered by 1,232 different people.
Cost of living in South Africa is 27% cheaper than in Spain
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